Fluid motor



V. H. PALM Feb. 16, 1932.

FLUID MOTOR Filed April 19. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet Feb. 16, 1932. v. H. PALM 1,845,176

FLUID MOTOR Filed April 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 16', 1932 PATENT OFFICE VICTOR H. PALM, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA FLUID MOTOR Application filed April 19,

This invention relates to pumping apparatus for wells, and more particularl to pumping mechanism which is operate by fluid pressure and which is automatically regulated through suitable valve mechanism actuated by the operation of the pump piston.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pumping mechanism in which the plunger is counterbalanced by suitable weights whereby the power necessary to operate the pump is materially reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pump mechanism which may be readilyremovable from its supports to render the pump base casing and sucker rod accessible for removal, as for cleaning or for re pairs.

Another object of the invention is the provision of pumping apparatus of the above designated character which may be of simple, compact, and durable mechanical construction and which shall be positive in it action and efficient in its operation.

These and other objects will become more apparent from a consideration of the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of the pump mechanism embodying the principles of this invention; Fig. 2 a vertical sectional view taken through the working barrel and control mechanism of the pumping apparatus; Fig. 3 a side elevational view of the valve chamber and valve controlling mechanism; and Fig. 4 a transverse sectional view taken along the line IV-IV, Fig. 2. 35 Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the structure therein illustrated comprises a combined sub-base and casing head for supporting the tubing supported by the well casing 2, and for supporting the pump base 3. which is held by vertical pedestals or rods 4 fastened by keys 5 in the manner shown. The casing is provided with a lead line 6 and a stufiing box 7, the latter packing a polish rod 8 which is vertically movable through the stufiing box.

The rod 8 is clamped to a yoke 9 by clamping bracket 10. The yoke 9 is movable on a'pair of vertical rods 11 having cushioning springs 12 provided at the bottom thereof, the springs functioning to checkthe down- 1928. Serial No. 271,198.

ward travel when the valve trips and also to initiate the upward movement of the pump.

The rods 11 are provided with notches 13 to which a pair of collars 14 may be fastened by screws 15, the screws being adapted to seat in the notches 13 of the rods. The plunger 16 is fastened to the yoke 9 and is packed at 17 in the pump-base 3 by a packing gland 18 which fits into the stuffing box of the glanda The plunger of the pump is counterbalanced by a pair of counterweights 20 fastened by cables 21 passing over sheave wheels 22 and-the other ends of which are secured to the yoke 9. The counter weights 20 may be of such mass as to counteract the weight of the well rods and the fluid so that less power is'required in operating the pump plunger.

Mounted on the pump base 3 is a working barrel 23 which is fitted in a screw thread portion 24 of the base as shown in Fig. 2. A valve chamber 25 is mounted in screw thread engagement at 26 to the top of the working barrel and the top of the valve casing 25 is flanged at 27t0 carry a pair of vertical bars 28 that support a yoke 29, the latter having an eye at 30.

The plunger tube 16 is provided with a piston head 31 which is operative in the pump ing barrel and provided with a reduced end so 32 which functions as a stop for a pair of adjustable heads 33 and 34 fastened toa trip rod 35 that extends through the plunger tube 16, the valve casing 25 and through a housing block 56. A bushing 37 is provided in the 85 lower portion of the valve casing 25 and a packing gland 38' is provided in the bushing to pack the trip rod 35. The valve casing 25 is provided with'a valve chamber 39 in which a reciprocating valve 40 is disposed, o the valve 40 being operative between a pair of exhaust ports 41 and 42.

The valve 40 controls the passages 43 and 44, the latter leading to a connecting pipe 45 95 connected with port 46 in the lower end of the working barrel. The passage '43 leads to the upper portion of the Working barrel above the piston 31. An inlet passage 48 is connected by pipe line 49 to a source of fluid pressure which is conducted throughthe passages 43 and 44 to above or below the piston head 31 in accordance with the position of the control valve 40 which exposes and closes the passages in its up and down movements. The trip rod 35 is packed at in the control valve 40 and is slidable therein.

As previously stated, the trip rod extends to the top of the pump and is adapted to project through an opening 51 in the yoke 29. A spring-compressing block and double-acting wedge 52 is secured to the rod by a screw 53 and the wedge member is adapted to re-.

ciprocatory movement with the movement of the rod. The wedge 52 serves as seats for coil springs 54 and 55 which are contained in a housing block 56. The control valve 40 is attached to and movable With the housing block 56 by a tube 57 through which the trip rod extends, and the housing block is adapted to be held against movement in either direction by latch blocks 58 being engaged by latches 59, the latter being pivoted at 60 to lugs 61. The latches 59 are provided with lugs 62 which rest against coil springs 63 that are seated in a notched portion 64 of the valve casing head. The spring acts to normally bias the latches 59 against the latch blocks 58 of the member 56. The casing tube 57 of the control valve 40 is packed inthe stufling box 66. The coil spring 54 is retained in the housing block 56 by a plug 67. I

The operation of the pump mechanism is briefly as follows With the control valve 40 in the position shown in Fig. 2, the inlet port 48 communicates with the port 43 and fluid pressure in the line 49 will pass to the top of the piston head 31 thereby depressing the latter 'in the pump barrel 23. Since the port 44 is shown connected with the exhaust port 41, the fluid in the casing barrel below the piston 31 will escape through the port 46 and by the connected pipe 45 and port 44 through the ex haust 41. When the restricted portion 32 of the piston head 31 strikesv the head '34 of the trip rod 35, the latter will move downwardl in the direction of travel of the piston head 31 and draw the wedge 52 down with it against the resistance of the coil spring 55. When the wedge 52 engages the chamfered ends of the latches 59, the latter will spread and permit the housing block 56 to follow the movement of the trip rod 5 by reason of the expanline 49 will then sion of the spring 55, thereby displacing the 40 which is connected thereto tablishing connection of the passage 44 with the inlet port 48, and the fluid pressure in pass through port 44, con necting line 45 and port 46 into the pumping barrel 23, and underneath the piston head 31 causing the latter to rise. Whenthe restricted end 32 of the piston head strikes the head 33 of the trip rod, the spring 54 will be compressed, and the housing block 56 Will be raised by virtue of the wedge 52 spreading the upper latches 59 to permit a snap movement of the housing block by the spring 54, until the control valve 40 has been moved to the position where the port 43 is open and 44 again closed.

In this manner the reciprocatory movement of the piston head 31 controls the movement of the control valve 40 through the trip rod 35 and the housing block 56, thereby as- 'suring positive pumping action with the power stroke in both directions of travel and with this type of control mechanism a longer pumping stroke may be employed than is customarily practiced. By the use of the counterweights 20 for less power is required to operate the plunger and the amount of weight can be regulated as desired.

If it is desired to remove nism from the sub-base 1 the collars 14 are secured to the rods 11 at their notched portions 13 by the set screws 15. .The yoke 9 is then raised against the stop collars 14 and the pump may be disconnected by the clamp 10 underneath the yoke 9. The keys 5 holding the supporting rods 4 may then be re moved and the entire pumping apparatus setto one side by attaching a hoist through the eye 30 of the yoke 29.

It is evident from the foregoing description of this invention that pumping apparatus made in accordance therewith provides simple and efficient means for operating deep well pumps with a minimum requirement of energy or power.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the principles herein set forth.

I claim herein as my invention:

1. The combination with a piston and cylinder, of avalve chamber in axial alinement with said cylinder and having a pair of exthe pump mechay haust. ports, conduits leading from said chamber at points between the exhaust ports, to the ends of the. cylinder, a slide valve for admitting pressure to the sides of said piston alternately, a spring-housing block connected to said valve and disposed externally of the said chamber, a. block in said housing axially alined with and connected to the piston through a stufling box in the end of the chamber, a spring interposed between each end of the housing block and adjacent side of the second-named block, latches for holding the said housing block against movement in either direction during reciprocation of the piston and compression of the springs, means for tripping one of said latches at the completion of each stroke of the piston, to permit the compressed spring to reverse the said valve, and means for moving said latch into opeil'lative position upon tripping of the other latc 2. The combination with a piston and cylinder, of a valve chamber in axial alinement with the said cylinder, conduits leading from I said-chamber. to the ends of the cylinder, a slide valve for admitting pressure to said conduits alternately, a spring housing block connected to said valve through a hollow rod 16 extending through an 'end wall of the valve chamber, a spring tensioning block connected to the piston by a rod extending through the said hollow rod, a spring interposed between each end of the housing block and the adjacent side of the tensioning block, means for releasably holding the housing block against movement during reciprocation of the piston and the compression of the springs, and means for rendering said holding means in- 20 effective at the completion of each stroke of the piston.

3. The combination wth a piston and cylinder, of a valve chamber in axial alinement with the said cylinder, and having a pair of exhaust ports, conduits leading from said chamber at points between the exhaust ports to the ends of the cylinder, a slide valve for admitting pressure to said conduits alternately, a spring housing block connected to said valve through a hollow rod extending through an end wall of the valve chamber, a spring tensioning block connected to the piston by a rod extending through the said hollow rod, a spring interposed between each end of the housing block and the adjacent side of the tensioning block, means for relcasably holding the housing block against movement during reciprocation of the piston and the compression of the springs, and

means for rendering said holding means ineffective atthe completion of each stroke of the piston.

In testimony whereof I, the said VICTOR H. PALM, have hereunto set my hand.

VICTOR H. PALM. 

